Why information is the lifeblood of every organisation – and how to put it to work

Data gathering is increasingly ubiquitous within organisations, especially after widespread digitisation following the pandemic. But too often, it represents value left on the table. Organisations know they need to collect data and generate insights from it. But they often lack efficient ways to manage and analyse their information treasure troves.

It’s incumbent on IT leaders to ask the right questions. How is data collected? How is it analysed? And is it being used to drive better decision-making?

However, there’s a mindset shift that must happen first. Organisations have adopted information management systems mainly due to compliance and security concerns. It’s a reactive approach doomed to keep IT teams on the back foot.

As emerging technologies such as AI start to proliferate – and as organisations handle larger and more complex data sets – the role of information is changing.

There is growing awareness among IT leaders and beyond that investing in information management is not simply a matter of ticking boxes, but can unlock hidden value across organisations and make processes faster, more secure, and more rewarding for employees.

Good information management starts with optimising information workflows throughout an organisation. Where it leads depends on how ambitious that organisation’s decision-makers are.

Understanding how information moves through your organisation is a simple but essential part of handling data in line with compliance obligations. Heavily regulated sectors, such as healthcare and financial services, have extensively implemented information management solutions. These sectors need to manage large quantities of sensitive data, such as patient records and personally identifiable information, placing a greater focus on improving information management.

While these sectors may have led the charge on automation, focusing so strongly on strengthening compliance has led some organisation to miss the chance to harness the true potential of their data.

The emphasis on security and compliance has limited the scope of information management in many organisations and led to an overly optimistic perception of digital maturity.

Canon’s research shows that businesses are making progress in digitalising processes, with 94% of businesses reporting they have implemented a form of automation. When asked about information security and digital processes, 78% of ITDMs believe their organisations are already mature¹.

Despite this perceived maturity, only 53% of ITDMs have gone as far as implementing the ‘first steps’ in their automation journey, with automatic access rights being the most commonly reported capability².

This reveals the shallow application of automated processes to date. So what steps should IT decision-makers take to improve this?

Data is the lifeblood of organisations. Harnessing its value can unlock additional opportunities and deliver a competitive edge. However, information only has value when it moves. As organisations are already collating this data for compliance purposes, IT decision-makers should look for ways to help different teams share information more efficiently. Once the right people have access to the right data, it’s much easier to optimise processes.

For example, in healthcare, this could involve using data held in hospital records to optimise A&E flows, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies to reduce patient waiting times. Taking a step back and reevaluating how information flows through the business can become a key competitive differentiator.

Ever heard of the ‘swivel chair’ effect? It’s a growth killer, because it’s what happens when staff need to switch between multiple applications and systems just to get routine tasks done. Worse, it can derail attempts to implement new technologies such as AI. By connecting key systems and creating a unified information network, a robust information management programme makes adopting emerging technologies smoother, while powering higher returns with accessible high-quality data.

Organisations don’t have to undertake this alone. A strategic partner with the right experience in information management and business processes can help identify the most valuable insights to aim for – and co-create the right processes to unlock those insights. Meanwhile, a consistent platform makes it easier to manage information on an organisation-wide basis and overcome silos. A motivated leadership team can push changes through and provide the overarching vision.

Let’s encourage a shift in perception. Information management isn’t just about compliance. It’s about getting an organisation moving faster, and uncovering value in unexpected places. When organisations internalise that message, they will be well positioned to reap the rewards of the technologies shaping the future.